On The Boards
On the Boards is a Seattle-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that presents contemporary dance, theater, and multi-disciplinary performance at the Behnke Center and distributes HD performance films globally via OtB.tv. It serves artists, regional audiences, and university arts programs.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1978
- HeadquartersSeattle, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What On The Boards does
On the Boards is a Seattle-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that presents contemporary dance, theater, and multi-disciplinary live performance and supports the artists who make it. Founded circa 1983 and operating from the Behnke Center for Contemporary Performance in Seattle's lower Queen Anne neighborhood, it runs an annual performance season featuring regional and international contemporary artists, the long-running Northwest New Works (NWNW) Festival for new work development, and a 12-artist-per-year residency program. The organization serves three primary constituencies: contemporary performing artists (presenting, commissioning, and developing work), Seattle-area audiences seeking experimental live performance, and university arts programs that access the filmed archive.
Core products and underlying technology center on a two-theater venue (a 300-seat Merrill Theater and a flexible Studio Theater) and the proprietary OtB.tv streaming platform, described as a first-of-its-kind online library of HD contemporary performance films with contextual educational materials, available globally to audiences and universities in 53+ countries. Supporting programs include the 12 Minutes Max developmental showcase (with Base: Experimental Arts + Space), the Digital Performance Cohort for new digital commissions, and FUBAR lobby events. Ticketing runs on Salesforce; the streaming platform on its own branded domain.
The business model blends earned and contributed revenue. Earned revenue comes from single tickets ($20-$66), subscriptions (Complete Season Subscription starting at $343.70+, with True Cost and Pay-What-You-Can tiers based on the Green Bottle Sliding Scale), theater rentals to nonprofits, and OtB.tv streaming subscriptions. Contributed revenue includes individual and corporate donations (described as financing "a full third" of season costs), government and foundation grants (4Culture, NEA), and planned/board giving; a record $5 million gift from Shari Behnke was received in 2025. The organization is governed by a 17-member Board of Directors and led by a shared Executive and Artistic Director (Megan Kiskaddon) and Managing Director (Ellen Abram) team.
On The Boards firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- On The Boards
- Legal name
- On the Boards
- Website
- https://www.ontheboards.org/
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1978
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- On the Boards is a Seattle-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that presents contemporary dance, theater, and multi-disciplinary performance at the Behnke Center and distributes HD performance films globally via OtB.tv. It serves artists, regional audiences, and university arts programs.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
On The Boards industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Performing Arts
- NAICS
- Performing Arts Companies (7111), Other Performing Arts Companies (71119), Other Performing Arts Companies (711190)
- SIC
- Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Performing Arts Centers & Presenters (Programming/Booking) (MPAGABAM)
Keywords
Where On The Boards is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Seattle
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
On The Boards business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Ticket Sales and Subscriptions: Revenue generated from single ticket sales and season subscriptions for performances at the Behnke Center. Complete season subscriptions start at $343.70+, with Choose Your Own options for 3 or 5 shows. Single tickets range from $33-$60 advance, $39-$66 general admission, with student/artist pricing at $20.
- Individual and Corporate Donations: A full third of the costs of seasons are financed by donors. The organization accepts online donations, checks, stock gifts, Donor Advised Fund contributions, and planned gifts. Board members contribute $1,500 annually plus participate in fundraising events like Spectacle Spectacular gala.
- Government and Foundation Grants: Funding received from government agencies and private foundations including 4Culture Cultural Services grants, National Endowment for the Arts support, and other cultural funding organizations.
- Theater and Space Rentals: On the Boards offers nonprofit and community rental discounts for their theater spaces, generating revenue while supporting the broader arts community.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Complete Season Subscription - Full access to all performances |
| Subscription | Annual | Choose Your Own - 5 Shows |
| Subscription | Annual | Choose Your Own - 3 Shows |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Single Tickets - General Admission |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
On The Boards product offering
Product offeringCore offering
On the Boards is a Seattle-based performing arts nonprofit that presents an annual season of contemporary dance, theater, and multi-disciplinary live performances at the Behnke Center for Contemporary Performance (300-seat Merrill Theater and flexible Studio Theater). It also operates artist residency programs, the Northwest New Works festival, the 12 Minutes Max developmental program, and the OtB.tv streaming platform for HD contemporary performance films available to global audiences and universities.
Product overview
On the Boards operates as a performing arts organization offering a portfolio of interconnected programs. The core offerings include the annual performance season featuring regional and international contemporary artists across dance, theater, and multidisciplinary performance at the Behnke Center. Supporting these live presentations are: OntheBoards.tv (a streaming platform for HD performance films), the Artists-in-Residence Program (providing rehearsal space and development support), the Northwest New Works Festival (regional new work development since 1983), and 12 Minutes Max (a developmental program in partnership with Base). Additional offerings include FUBAR lobby events, accessible streaming features, and paid artist residencies launching Fall 2026.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Season Subscriptions and Ticketing Complete season subscriptions and single ticket sales with multiple pricing tiers including general admission, student/artist discounts, and True Cost options for contemporary performance events.
- OtB.tv Streaming Platform Online streaming platform featuring HD filmed contemporary performance works with contextual educational materials, accessible to audiences and universities worldwide.
- Artists-in-Residence Program Technical residencies providing select artists with free rehearsal space, development support, project management, dramaturgical feedback, and advocacy. Aims to serve at least 12 artists annually with paid residencies.
- Northwest New Works (NWNW) Festival Annual multi-day festival featuring new works from regional artists across dance, theater, and interdisciplinary performance, with community curatorial panels.
- 12 Minutes Max Low-stakes showcase format giving emerging artists an opportunity to test new short performance pieces in front of live audiences, presented in partnership with Base: Experimental Arts + Space.
- Behnke Center for Contemporary Performance Venue Rentals Theater and studio space rentals at the 300-seat Merrill Theater and flexible Studio Theater, with nonprofit and community rental discounts offered to other arts organizations.
- Digital Performance Cohort Annual open-call program that commissions and pays artists to create new digital performance work using tools that may be inaccessible to many performers, with the first project titled Public Access: BLACKBOX WEATHERMXN.
Companies that use On The Boards
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
On The Boards technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
On The Boards partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Alliance Française de SeattleminorPartnership for presenting La Vie Secrète des Vieux (The Secret Lives of Old People) by Mohamed El Khatib in February 2027, including French language and cultural elements.
- Base: Experimental Arts + SpacecorePartnership for 12 Minutes Max developmental program, a beloved opportunity for emerging artists to show work in progress. Also partners for The UN-[TITLED] Project.
- Seattle Theater GroupminorCo-presenter of The Lesson by Kate Wallich & Perfume Genius, commissioned by Seattle Theater Group and presented in partnership with On the Boards.
- Meany Center for the Performing ArtsminorCo-presenter of Abby Z and the New Utility's Radioactive Practice as part of deeper engagement with Bill T. Jones as 2022-23 Meany Center guest Artistic Associate.
- National Performance Network (NPN)coreOtB participates in annual commissioning through NPN and meets or exceeds NPN equitable artist fees guidelines. NPN is a network of artists and presenters supporting new work development.
- Jacob's Pillow Dance FestivalminorCo-commissioner and residency provider for zoe | juniper's The Other Shore, developed in the Pillow Lab with support from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.
- Velocity Dance CentercoreSeattle partner for performances including dani tirrell's Elysium, collaborating on programming for the dance community.
- BRIC Arts MediaminorCo-commissioner with On the Boards for The UN-[TITLED] Project by Berette S Macaulay, presented in both Seattle and Brooklyn.
- The Bearded Ladies CabaretminorCollaborative partner for Threesome performance featuring Cherdonna Shinatra with John Jarboe of The Bearded Ladies and Martha Graham Cracker (Dito van Reigersberg).
- CD ForumminorPartner in presenting dani tirrell's Elysium: Leviticus or Love project, combining dance and community engagement.
- Repair RevolutionminorQueer mechanic shop venue in SODO hosting Threesome performances, a community space supporting local artists.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
On The Boards competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Portland Institute for Contemporary Art (PICA): Portland-based nonprofit presenting organization focused on contemporary performance in dance, theater, and multi-disciplinary work — a near-twin to OtB in mission, scale, and curatorial profile within the Pacific Northwest.
- La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club: Long-standing NYC nonprofit presenting experimental theater, dance, and multi-disciplinary work with deep artist-development programming — directly comparable avant-garde curatorial focus and presenter-plus-producer model.
- The Chocolate Factory Theater: Long Island City-based small-scale presenter producing and presenting experimental performance works by independent artists — directly comparable niche contemporary performance programming and small-staff operating model.
- EMPAC (Experimental Media and Performing Arts Center at RPI): Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's presenting venue for contemporary performance across dance, theater, and experimental media — directly comparable in presenting experimental interdisciplinary work to mixed audiences including students.
- Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival: National dance presenting organization and historic home of residencies and commissioning (and an OtB co-commissioning partner). Highly comparable in artist residency model and dance curation, with broader national footprint.
- New York Live Arts: NYC-based presenter of contemporary dance and performance built on legacy of Dance Theater Workshop — closely comparable presenter model with residencies, commissions, and touring support for choreographers and dance artists.
Broad incumbents
- Wexner Center for the Arts: Larger multidisciplinary contemporary arts center at Ohio State presenting performance, film, and visual art — broader scope and larger institution, but overlapping contemporary performance presentation and university-adjacent model.
- Walker Art Center: Minneapolis multidisciplinary contemporary arts center with a longstanding performing arts program commissioning and presenting experimental work — broader visual-arts-weighted institution but with overlapping contemporary performance programming.
- Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM): Major multi-venue presenter of contemporary performing arts including experimental theater, dance, and multi-disciplinary work — substantially larger scale but presents overlapping contemporary artists in co-commissioning relationships with OtB-adjacent venues.
Emerging players
- Velocity Dance Center: Seattle-based dance presenting and development organization and an active OtB programming partner (e.g., dani tirrell's Elysium) — directly comparable mission and city, with a smaller, dance-specialized footprint.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
On The Boards social profiles
Digital presenceOn The Boards compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
On The Boards financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
On The Boards leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles14 records
On The Boards funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
On The Boards M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about On The Boards
What does On The Boards do?
On the Boards is a Seattle-based performing arts nonprofit that presents an annual season of contemporary dance, theater, and multi-disciplinary live performances at the Behnke Center for Contemporary Performance (300-seat Merrill Theater and flexible Studio Theater). It also operates artist residency programs, the Northwest New Works festival, the 12 Minutes Max developmental program, and the OtB.tv streaming platform for HD contemporary performance films available to global audiences and universities.
Is On The Boards a public or private company?
On The Boards is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was On The Boards founded?
On The Boards was founded in 1978. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is On The Boards based?
On The Boards is headquartered in Seattle, United States, in the North America region.
How does On The Boards make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Ticket Sales and Subscriptions are the primary driver. The others are individual and Corporate Donations, government and Foundation Grants and theater and Space Rentals.
Who are On The Boards's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Portland Institute for Contemporary Art (PICA), La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club, The Chocolate Factory Theater, EMPAC (Experimental Media and Performing Arts Center at RPI), Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival and New York Live Arts. Broad incumbents are Wexner Center for the Arts, Walker Art Center and Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM). Velocity Dance Center is listed as an emerging player.
Does On The Boards have an API?
No public API is recorded for On The Boards.
What industry is On The Boards in?
On The Boards's product category is Performing Arts. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAGABAM, Performing Arts Centers & Presenters (Programming/Booking). Its NAICS code is 7111 and its SIC code is 7900.